Two GAP Member Clubs announced as official PLAY9 participating clubs

BROOMALL, Pa. – At the Golf Association of Philadelphia, promoting and growing the game is a vital aspect of the organization’s mission statement.

Two GAP Member Clubs specifically – Gilbertsville Golf Club (Gilbertsville, Pa.) and Cobbs Creek Golf Club (Philadelphia, Pa.) – have been named official PLAY9 partner clubs of the USGA. Both will offer discounts, now through October, for golfers choosing to play shorter rounds.

On Mondays, golfers can PLAY9 at Gilbertsville for just $20 after 1 p.m. For more information, contact Kyle Ruane, Head Golf Professional: kruane@golfgilbertsvillegc.com or 610-323-3222.

Cobbs Creek’s special will run all day on Fridays, when players can ride for $25 or walk for $15. For more information, please contact Justin Smith, Regional General Manager, Billy Casper Golf: jsmith@billycaspergolf.com or 215-877-8707.

“We’re thrilled to work with the USGA to promote the PLAY9 program at all GAP Clubs, and specifically at the PLAY9 participating clubs – Gilbertsville and Cobbs Creek,” said Director of Member Services Mario Machi. “Both clubs are great partners with GAP and it’s exciting to be able to offer weekly incentives for our Members and all golfers in the region to play at those facilities.”

As the year-over-year statistics exhibit, the #Play9Golf initiative is officially in full swing.

A 2016 study showed:

• As reported by golfers, nine-hole rounds comprised one-third of rounds played in 2016, Women, casual players and golfers under age 55 appear to be driving the increase in nine-hole rounds.

• Nine-hole scores made up between eight and nine percent of all scores posted to the USGA’s GHIN system over the past three years (2014-2016), an increase from an average of six percent from 2010-2013.

• Perception of the nine-hole round as a simple, effective and time-friendly option to play the game increased from 46 percent in 2015 to 54 percent in 2016.

• The perception that nine-hole rounds are encouraging people to play the game is particularly strong with women and private club members, with 78 percent of both groups indicating that it is strongly positive.

• As reported by golf facilities, the mean percentage of facility revenue generated by nine-hole rounds increased from 22 percent in 2015 to 27 percent in 2016.

• Facilities have reported that the mean percentage of nine-hole starts increased from 19 percent in 2015 to 23 percent in 2016.

• Forty percent of facilities saw a year-over-year increase in the number of nine-hole rounds played in 2016.

The Association will continue to work alongside the USGA in offering our Members even more PLAY9 opportunities moving forward.

“The USGA is proud to support PLAY9 and encourage everyone from newcomers to lapsed golfers to go out and play the game,” said Mike Davis, USGA Executive Director/CEO. ”We are thrilled to see that participation for nine-hole golf is on the rise and we remain committed to programs focused on allowing golfers to play in less time and fit golf into their busy schedules.”

Golf Association of Philadelphia
Founded in 1897, the Golf Association of Philadelphia (GAP) is the oldest regional golf association in the United States and serves as the principal ruling body of amateur golf in its region. Its 151 Member Clubs and 57,000 individual members are spread across parts of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland. As Philadelphia’s Most Trusted Source of Golf Information, the Golf Association of Philadelphia’s mission is to promote, preserve and protect the game of golf.